Kirinyaga: Mwea rice farmers protest lack of subsidised fertiliser

The farmers say they have been forced to buy a 50-kilogramme bag of fertiliser for more than 6,000 shillings, nearly three times the government’s subsidised price.

They say they were therefore surprised when President William Ruto announced that the price of a 50-kilogramme bag had been reduced from 2,500 to 2,000 shillings, yet they have never been able to access the subsidised fertiliser.

Speaking at the Mwea rice farms, farmer leaders Dominic Gachembo and Anthony Mbute said the high cost of fertiliser has significantly increased production expenses, leaving many farmers counting losses.

Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society Chairman Ndege Muriuki says they have repeatedly sought access to the subsidised fertiliser but have only benefited once, in 2024, through the county government.

Muriuki says they were informed at the National Cereals and Produce Board that individual farmers must register on the Ministry of Agriculture’s KIAMIS platform before accessing the fertiliser.

He says the requirement is impractical because farmers normally receive farm inputs on credit through their cooperative society.

The farmers are now calling on President Ruto and the Ministry of Agriculture to allow their cooperative to purchase the subsidised fertiliser in bulk and distribute it to members.

They say the high cost has forced some farmers to reduce the acreage under rice or use less fertiliser, resulting in lower yields and increased financial hardship.